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South African Thick-tail (Parabuthus transvaalicus)

Parabuthus transvaalicus

The Parabuthus transvaalicus, the dreaded 'South African Thick-tail Scorpion' or Black Spitting Scorpion. It is one of the largest and most lethal Buthids in the world (reaches 5.9 inches and a considerable weight). Dark Black-Brown in color, it is famous for its enormous and thick armored tail (Thick-tail) equipped with a gigantic sting, which contrasts with its tiny filiform tweezers. In addition to the very powerful neurotoxic venom, it has the unique ability to 'spit' (spray) the venom at a distance up to 3 feet into the eyes of the aggressor, causing temporary blindness and intense pain. but deeply dangerous, it requires dry desert cases, long tweezers and mandatory protective glasses for the keeper.

Taxonomy

Class:Arachnida

Order:Scorpiones

Family:Buthidae

Genus:Parabuthus

Species:Parabuthus transvaalicus

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

30 - 45 %

Ambient temperature

30 °C

Day temperature

22 - 26 °C

Night temperature

22 °C

Substrate depth

>= 10 cm

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: This recovery makes no geographic-origin or habitat statement beyond the cited facts above.

Taxonomy and Genetics: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy lists Parabuthus transvaalicus Purcell, 1899 at species rank. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy places Parabuthus transvaalicus in the order Scorpiones, family Buthidae and genus Parabuthus. This recovery makes no genetic statement beyond the cited facts above.

Behaviour and Habits: This recovery makes no behavioural statement beyond the cited facts above.

Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: This recovery makes no morphological or sex-comparison statement beyond the cited facts above.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: This proposal does not establish a terrarium setup.

Lighting and Heating: This proposal does not establish lighting or heating parameters.

Humidity and Hydration: This proposal does not establish humidity or hydration parameters.

Feeding and Supplementation: This proposal does not establish feeding or supplementation guidance.

Compatibility and Coexistence: In a behavioural study of Parabuthus transvaalicus, venom spraying occurred mostly, but not always, when the metasoma was contacted—usually with forceps—and was absent during stinging-like thrusts without contact. Spraying was significantly more likely when contact was accompanied by airborne stimuli. After forceps grasping, the median latency was 0.23 s; the spray was a brief, fine stream not directed toward the stimulus source. Rapid independent movements of the metasoma or telson sometimes created a more diffuse spray, increasing the possibility of venom contact with the sensitive eyes of potential scorpion predators. The authors conclude that spraying might have an antipredator function and can be modulated by threat. These are experimental behavioural observations, not cohabitation, handling, or safety instructions.

Health and Common Diseases: This proposal does not make a clinical, toxicological, or veterinary claim.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Sudafrica (Deserti, boscaglie semi-aride del Sudafrica, Botswana, Zimbabwe).

Origin

Africa and Madagascar

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet: No verified data available
Life expectancy: No verified data available
Adult size: 15 cm
Lifestyle/Microhabitat: No verified data available
Activity cycle: No verified data available
Sociality: No verified data available
Reproduction: No verified data available
Venom level: No verified data available
Handling tolerance: No verified data available
Brumation: No verified data available
Molting: No verified data available

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Recommended companions

Compatible cards from coherent ecosystems with matching parameters.

Similar care

Cards with similar requirements, difficulty, habitat, and husbandry profile.

Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Origin

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Image gallery

Related species

Variants and close relatives

Judean Black Scorpion (Hottentotta judaicus)

Arizona Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus)

Deathstalker Scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus)

Common Yellow Scorpion (Buthus occitanus)

Recommended companions

Bearded Dragon (Witblits)

Fowler's Toad

Dwarf Bearded Dragon

Mitchell's Bearded Dragon

Similar care

Giant Prickly Stick Insect

Pallas's Isopod (A. pallasii)

Flat Rock Scorpion

Emerald Beetle (Chlorocala africana)